Queensland Volunteering Awards

Presented in honour of an individual who has made an exemplary voluntary contribution and who through their volunteering has made a significant impact towards Queensland’s well-being.

An individual must demonstrate one or more of these criteria:

• development and implementation of a unique or original approach to volunteering which benefits a specific organisation or organisations.
• development and implementation of new concepts, products or services that strengthen and broaden access to an organisation for individuals from minority cohorts, including but not limited to first nations peoples, newly arrived migrants, people with disability, vulnerable women, young people, unemployed people, remote or regional volunteers.
• contribution to reviewing and establishing more inclusive systems or procedures that enhance the operational effectiveness of an organisation
• promotion or leading the advancement of the vitality and enrichment of the broader community through branding, events or other activities
• an outstanding commitment of time and effort to an organisation or organisations which has led to significant growth, funding, or awareness for the organisation.

Presented in celebration of an individual aged between 16 and 30 years, who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to volunteering in Queensland and who through their volunteering has positively impacted the lives of others.

An individual must demonstrate one or more of these criteria:

• be aged between 16 – 30 years.
• an outstanding commitment to volunteering, by involving themselves in one or more organisations in Queensland in key roles for a minimum of five years total.
• promoting the benefits of volunteers to others, resulting in the inclusion of more young people into volunteering.
• contribution to reviewing and establishing more inclusive systems or procedures that enhance the operational effectiveness of an organisation.
• promotion or leading the advancement of the vitality and enrichment of the broader community through branding, events, or other activities.
• an outstanding commitment of time and effort to an organisation or organisations which has led to significant growth, funding, or awareness for the organisation.

Presented in acknowledgement of an adult volunteer who has arrived in Australia within the last five years and has two or less years of volunteering service. This individual has shown exceptional dedication to volunteering in Queensland and has made a positive impact on the loves of others through their efforts.

An individual must demonstrate one or more of these criteria:

• an adult with 2 or less years volunteering experience in Queensland.
• new to Australia within the last 5 years.
• demonstrates exceptional commitment to volunteering by involving themselves in key roles.
• actively promotes the benefits of volunteers to others, resulting in the inclusion of more people into volunteering.
• contributes to the development and implementation of more inclusive systems or procedures enhancing the operational effectiveness of the organisation.
• lead or promotes initiatives that significantly enrich the broader community through branding, events, or other activities.
• demonstrates an outstanding commitment of time and effort to an organisation, resulting in significant growth, funding or awareness for the organisation.

Presented in honour of an individual who has made an exemplary life-long contribution to volunteering (15+ years) and who through their volunteering has contributed to the betterment of the community in Queensland.

An individual must demonstrate one or more of these criteria:

• an outstanding commitment to volunteering, by involving themselves in one or more organisations in Queensland in key roles for a minimum of 15 years total.
• development and implementation of a unique or original approach to volunteering which benefits a specific organisation or organisations.
• contribution to reviewing and establishing more inclusive systems or procedures that enhance the operational effectiveness of an organisation.
• promotion or leading the advancement of the vitality and enrichment of the broader community through volunteer leadership.
• an outstanding commitment of time and effort to an organisation or organisations which has led to significant growth, funding, or awareness for the organisation.
• development of inclusive practices to ensure the sustainability of an organisation and its volunteer experience.

Presented in acknowledgement of an individual salaried or non-salaried volunteer manager who have demonstrated outstanding best practice in the management of volunteers and the delivery of volunteering programs.

An individual must demonstrate one or more of these criteria:

• implementation of a significant and outstanding improvement or initiative that contributed to creating an exceptional volunteer experience.
• consistently provides outstanding and exceptional quality of service to volunteers.
• significant contribution to building the professional standing and reputation of the organisation amongst volunteers and volunteer professionals.
• adherence to or implementation of the National Standards for Volunteering within the organisation.
• broadened access to volunteering for individuals from minority cohorts, including but not limited to first nations peoples, newly arrived migrants, people with disability, vulnerable women, young people, unemployed people, remote or regional volunteers.

Presented in recognition of a community volunteering program or activity that has made a positive, measurable and sustainable social and/or economic impact on the Queensland Community.

A team must demonstrate one or more of the following criteria:

• Implementation of an innovative project, program, or activity that actively fosters a sense of community in Queensland.
• Contributes to positive cultural change by promoting equity, diversity, or inclusion within the Queensland volunteering community.
• Establishes inclusive practices or initiatives that increased access, representation, and a sense of belonging for volunteers from disadvantaged or underrepresented groups.
• Shows leadership in fostering and modelling supportive behaviours in the workplace, learning environments, or community.
• Provides qualitative evidence of the program’s impact on the social and/or economic outcomes in Queensland or on its participants.
• Enhances the reputation or visibility of one or more community organisation/s.

Presented in recognition of a government organisation that has made a positive, measurable and sustainable social and/or economic impact on the Queensland Community.

A government organisation must demonstrate one or more of the following criteria:

• Implementation of an innovative project, program, or activity that actively fosters a sense of community in Queensland.
• Contributes to positive cultural change by promoting equity, diversity, or inclusion within the Queensland volunteering community.
• Establishes inclusive practices or initiatives that increased access, representation, and a sense of belonging for volunteers from disadvantaged or underrepresented groups.
• Shows leadership in fostering and modelling supportive behaviours in the workplace, learning environments, or community.
• Provides qualitative evidence of the program’s impact on the social and/or economic outcomes in Queensland or on its participants.
• Enhances the reputation or visibility of one or more community organisation/s.

Presented in recognition of a for-profit organisation that has made a positive measurable and sustainable social and/or economic impact on the Queensland community through volunteering.

A corporate organisation must demonstrate one or more of the following criteria:

• Development and implementation of a philanthropic project, program, or activity that integrates volunteering into the workplace culture.
• Delivers a project or initiative that enhances staff well-being and work experience through volunteering.
• Provides diverse online and offline opportunities that reduce barriers for staff to engage in volunteering.
• Implements inclusive practices and procedures that increase access, representation, and opportunities for volunteering among disadvantaged or underrepresented groups in the workplace or sustainable corporate social responsibility programs across various community sectors.